In order to get ‘FIT’ you need to find the right FIT

 

Today I have the pleasure to introduce to my readers Next Phase Fitness.  I had the opportunity to participate in their Elevate 60 class which was taught by Doug Frantzen, co-owner and trainer.  The goal of Elevate 60 is to optimize loss of calories and build muscle for those of various fitness backgrounds.   A wide range of training routines and trainers are available to assure that your specific fitness goals are met. 

The environment of the gym was warm and welcoming, not only by the staff but also by those who were taking part in the class.  The positive environment made me want to push harder during the class.

The heart rate monitored class motivated me to push to the next level and proved to be quite competitive for me.  I was making sure I was on par with Mr. Frantzen 🙂 (Dougs dad!).

Heart Rate Monitor Screen

Next Phase Fitness is truly focused on the client.  They want to know who you are, what you do and what your goal is as far as exercise is concerned.  This new facility has the potential to grow and provide excellent service to all who participate in their classes.

So, let’s get to the reason why I am writing these blogs of gyms in the Loudoun area.  We are looking to FIT you with the RGHT fitness facility so that you can get ‘FIT.’

Next Phase Fitness is great for:

1. Persons with an intermediate to advanced fitness background

2. Persons who love group workouts and the camaraderie of those around them

3. Persons who are interested in attending a fitness facility that does not have contracts

4. Persons who hold a clean environment near and dear to their heart (like me)

5. Persons who want to be pushed to the next level of fitness

6. Persons that want to be in an workout environment where the instructors and owners are looking out for your well being. 

In an effort to enhance their knowledge on movement, Next Phase Fitness and Missing Link Physical Therapy will be collaborating to introduce a class for persons who are interested on learning the ‘Basic Movements Required for Exercise’.

Left: Andre Heletsi (Owner Missing Link Physical Therapy) Right: Doug Frantzen (Co-Owner Next Phase Fitness)

Please provide comments about your experience at Next Phase Fitness. I am sure our readers would love to hear about it so they can make the right FIT in order to get ‘FIT’. 

If you have questions about Next Phase Fitness please contact them at: 

Next Phase Fitness, LLC 

21020 Sycolin Rd Suite 115

Ashburn, VA 20147

CustomerService@nextphasefit.com

703-858-4410

If you have questions for Missing Link Physical Therapy please contact us at: andre@missinglinkpt.com

In order to get ‘FIT’ you need to find the right FIT

Trouble finding a gym that fits you, your personality, your needs, your time, your location?  The list goes on and on.  

Well I am here to help you!

Like so many of you I have had the same problem over the years.  Signing up in the new fad gym and only attending a handful of times.  I have compiled a list of excuses stating why I cannot remain with one gym; and I finally figured out that the major issue was finding a gym that motivates me, addresses my needs and fits my personality.  Like a pair of jeans from Banana Republic or Zara the fit is going to be different based on your size and particular taste, these are the same challenges encountered with finding the gym that meets your needs.

Here are some personalities I have unfolded with most gyms:

1. Culture
2. Skilled and qualified personnel
3. Goal focused guidance
4. Commitment to clients
5. Excellence in service
6. Client Centered

In my quest to help you find the best fit in order to get ‘FIT’, I have decided to visit and work out at many of the gyms in Loudoun County.   By doing this I can share with you my opinion on the personalities of these gyms.  This list of gyms is not limited to the Life Times and the Golds gyms; the small boutique gyms will also be highlighted in my reviews.

Your job as a reader is to tell me about your gym’s personality and refer me to your gym.

Many may ask why do I think that I am qualified to share my opinion on gyms.  Well, I am a Physical Therapist who has seen patients who attend gyms that don’t fit their personality and/or meet their needs.  Consequently, the outcome is either injury or not achieving a specific fitness goal.

Let the games begin!!  You will have my first review in a week.  The goal of this blog is:  FIND THE RIGHT FIT IN ORDER GET FIT!!

You can contact me with questions or concerns at: andre@missinglinkpt.com

 

 

Overcoming the Challenge of Today’s Healthcare System

As a young Physical Therapist growing in experience and knowledge I question our effectiveness in the healthcare setting. I don’t mean to generalize everyone, but I think we have lost the love for people. We have lost the sympathy and empathy on which healthcare was built on. Because of financial restraints we have cut the time spent with patients. Along with the time lost we have lost the ability to perform personalized care. I am not an exception and have been guilty of this; and with the loss of personalized treatment I believe that outcomes are not optimized. Being a healthcare professional does not only mean giving the right drug or correct treatment. By building an intimate relationship with your patient, a relationship of trust can actually enhance the affect of the drug or treatment provided. Yes, there is no research to show this, but through my clinical experience I have seen first hand that a combination of the right treatment and good relationship have positive outcomes. Conversely, the right treatment with flawed patient interaction showed poor clinical outcomes.

I don’t believe that we are going to heal everyone, but I do believe that we can optimize the quality of life and function of individuals with more TIME. I believe that with more individual time we can change peoples lives and we can ‘LOVE’ them more. We can be better at achieving the functional goals of the patient instead of priortitizing our own clinical goals with the time we have. I believe that with more time there will be less money spent overall and better utilization of our patients’ healthcare dollars.

In my young Physical Therapy practice there is a common trend of people coming to therapy only once a week. This is because with a one hour treatment focused on individualized care we are able to achieve the goals of the patient in a timely manner. People are, over time, paying less and also spending less time away from their overall ‘dysfuntion’. Individuals are optimizing their function and becoming an active part of society.

Our chronic population needs more individualized time as we are not only dealing with the physical affects of pain, but also the psychosocial aspects. We need to continue to challenge insurance companies on reimbursement for our respective skill sets. We are worth more!! We need to get back to patient centered healthcare where outcomes, quality of life and function are our primary goal. This is my utopia because I see it is possible with what I do on a daily basis. Patients and clients will testify to my ‘crazy talk!!’ The missing link to healthcare is not necessarily the next super drug, surgical technique or diet but rather the intangibles that cost us nothing. It is the eye contact, smile, attention, hug, holding of a hand… the list goes on! I challenge all those who are in healthcare to try this and see what your outcomes are. See the reaction that is driven from it.

Let’s love each other and the healing will follow.

Welcome to the Missing Link!!!

What is Missing Link Physical Therapy (MLPT)?? (MLPT) is a fee for service Physical Therapy Clinic focused on improving the function of patients in a timely fashion. We provide Physical Therapy services on a one on one basis in a private treatment room setting. The time you spend at MLPT is all yours. We also provide massage and personal training services (with specialty in restoring movement and decreasing injury for those in the performing arts).

This is the place where ‘Mind, Body and Soul Connect,’ MLPT focuses not only on the individuals mechanical deficits but we also focus of the emotional and psychosocial reasons for an individuals pain as this can contribute to chronic pain. So how do we accomplish the ‘Mind’ and ‘Soul’ aspects of care? Well first we love on you!!! This is important because by caring and providing a loving environment we are able to calm that nervous system down thereby decreasing pain and also the anxiety driven by pain. We also collaborate with other health care professionals when we feel their services will be complimentary to ours such as Clinical Social Worker’s, Personal Trainers, Orthopedic surgeons and the list goes on.

We have created this blog to inform the community about their health care options and to let individuals understand that they don’t have to live in pain. During the course of a series of  blogs we will address common acute/chronic injuries we see and have been successful in treating. We will also share our philosophical views on healthcare and ways we can improve outcomes and not over utilize resources.

We hope you continue to follow us on the path of healthy living and a healthy lifestyle. COME JOIN US AND HEAL WITH US!!

www.missinglinkpt.com